It's still unknown is how, or if, the show will deal with his death next season. "Glee" had been scheduled to resume production at the end of July and begin its fourth season Sept. 19. At the end of last season, Monteith's character graduated from high school and moved on to college to study teaching.

As this roundup demonstrates, shows have dealt with the deaths of actors who starred or played recurring characters in various ways — including by ignoring it, replacing the actor or acknowledging the death head on.

Go to my blog The Dudek Abides (jsonline.com/dudek) to see video clips of several of scenes described below.

Phil Hartman (1998)

Shows: "NewsRadio," "The Simpsons," "Saturday Night Live"

Cause of death: Murdered by his wife at the age of 49

Eulogy: Each show treated his death in its own way. His character, a pompous newscaster, is said to have a heart attack on "NewsRadio," and the other characters reminiscence about his life. He was later replaced by a new character played by Jon Lovitz. "SNL," which he left in 1994, aired a tribute episode. And "The Simpsons" withdrew his characters.

Larry Hagman (2012)

Show: "Dallas"

Cause of death: Cancer at the age of 81

Eulogy: His iconic character of J.R. Ewing is reportedly shot — once again, off screen — and paid tribute to at a funeral during the second season of the show's revival. The episode was preceded by music and video-collage tribute during the credits. "The most infuriating, charming scoundrel I've even known," his ex-wife Sue Ellen says at the wake.

Jim Davis (1981)

Show: "Dallas"

Cause of death: Cancer at the age of 71

Eulogy: Died during season four. As Davis became ill, his character, Jock Ewing, and his wife were sent on a second honeymoon. His character was referred to regularly until his "death" in a helicopter crash was revealed in 1982.

John Ritter (2003)

Show: "Eight Simple Rules for Dating My Teenage Daughter"

Cause of death: After surgery for a heart defect at the age of 54

Eulogy: His character was said to have died after collapsing in a grocery store. Subsequent episodes portrayed the family dealing with his death.

John Spencer (2005)

Show: "The West Wing"

Cause of death: Heart attack at the age of 58

Eulogy: His character, the president's chief of staff, suffers a heart attack on election night and the characters react to the news. A subsequent episode portrays his funeral. Spencer's name remained in the show's credits that season.

Freddie Prinze (1977)

Show: "Chico and the Man"

Cause of death: Suicide at the age of 22

Eulogy: Although the sitcom about a street-smart Hispanic youth and a cranky old Anglo played by Jack Albertson revolved around the young comedian, Prinze was replaced by a 12-year-old boy. "You're all Chicos to me," Albertson tells the new character in a two-part episode where the character's death is revealed but not explained.

Nicholas Colasanto (1985)

Show: "Cheers"

Cause of death: Heart attack at the age of 61

Eulogy: The sweet but dim bartender named Coach initially was said to be "away," but there were later references to his death, with no explanation given. He was replaced during season four by Woody, a character played by Woody Harrelson.

Will Lee (1982)

Show: "Sesame Street"

Cause of death: Heart attack at the age of 74

Eulogy: Lee's character of Mr. Hooper, who ran the general store, was said to have died, although no reason was given, in an episode in which Big Bird learns about death. Aired on Thanksgiving day of 1983. "Who's going to make my birdseed milkshakes and tell me stories?" Big Bird sobs.

Jack Soo (1979)

Show: "Barney Miller"

Cause of death: Cancer at the age of 61

Eulogy: Soo played Det. Yemana on the show set at New York police station. The actors talk about their favorite scenes with him in a tribute episode that ended with them raising their coffee cups in a toast. His last words to co-star Hal Linden, as Soo was wheeled into surgery, reportedly were, "It must have been the coffee," a running joke on the show.

Nancy Marchand (2000)

Show: "The Sopranos"

Cause of death: Cancer at the age of 71

Eulogy: After Marchand's death, the character was kept alive for a final confrontation with her son — the mob boss played by the late James Gandolfini — using a body double, digital techniques and previously recorded dialog. The character is then said to have died in her sleep.

Andy Whitfield (2011)

Show: "Spartacus: Blood and Sand"

Cause of death: Lymphoma at the age of 39

Eulogy: During his treatment, Starz ran a six-part prequel. When Whitfield did not return, he was replaced in the role by Liam McIntyre.

Bea Benaderet (1968)

Show: "Petticoat Junction"

Cause of death: Cancer at the age of 62

Eulogy: Her character, the mother of three daughters, is said to be "out of town." Benaderet, a veteran character actress, later did a voice-over in an episode in which she is played by a body double seen in silhouette. First replaced by Rosemary DeCamp, as an aunt, and after her death by June Lockhart as a town doctor.

Michael Conrad (1982)

Show: "Hill Street Blues"

Cause of death: Cancer at the age of 58

Eulogy: His avuncular character — cop Phil Esterhaus, known for his "Let's be careful out there" warning to officers going on patrol — was said to have died while having sex with his girlfriend.